“It is a year to-day [Feb. 22.] since I commenced my public duty at Chunar; and, on considering the way in which the Lord hath led me during that period, I find great cause for thankfulness that I have not laboured in vain: some doors of usefulness have been opened, and some good has been done. Many amongst the invalids are altered for the better in their conduct; several of them have married, and two artillery-men, I would fain hope, are serious and impressed. Amongst the Hindoos, some, I trust, have been brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ; yet, I think, I am not so spiritually-minded as I was before I left England: though, I think, I am more constantly fixed, and more undeviatingly aiming, at the end of my ministry; yet I fear that the warmth of spiritual affection is gone; but I will ‘do again my first works.’ O thou whom my soul loveth, grant me that ‘gold, white raiment, and aye salve,’ which thou hast in store for needy creatures; heal me for thy mercies’ sake!” It has been already stated that the Europeans at Secrole were regarded by Mr. Corrie as part of his ministerial charge; but as Secrole was a kind of suburb to Benares, he was necessarily brought into contact with the Hindoos resident in and about that ‘very citadel of Idolatry.’ Hitherto, however, it does not appear that any opportunity had occurred to Mr. C. for seeing much of the native city. Under date, therefore, of March 2, 1808, he writes: “Yesterday morning, desiring to see Benares, I went down the Ganges in a small boat; but was greatly disappointed at the appearance of the city, which stands entirely on the west side of the river. One place, the residence of Badshahzada, has the appearance of ruined magnificence; and several ghauts are extensive and laboured monuments of superstition: but the smallness of dimensions of the buildings around makes them appear nothing, to an European. Amidst them all, I came to the British flag, flying at the Ghaut Mangees stairs, which excited grateful sensations. Idolatry is plainly on the decay. Our boat line getting entangled with another boat, much abuse was bestowed on the Feringhee.” Mr. Corrie relates, that on this occasion he preached to some natives of Benares, as well as gave instruction to the European soldiery. Three weeks later than this visit he was called upon to baptize a Brahmin, who after many strugglings of conscience had been strengthened by the grace of God to ‘confess the faith of Christ crucified.’ An account of this event is given by Mr. C. in a letter to his father, dated March 25, 1808.[40]